The Epal fever has reached convulsive proportions and the worse of the worst is the recent Calamity campaigning.

Not only is this against the law, it is criminal as cited in “Section 261 (o) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), prohibits the use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign.”Politicians who have signified intentions of running for the 2013 election also violated Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Election Act of 2010.

Under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) and RA 9006, the two simple election offenses are punishable by one to six years in jail without probation, disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right to vote.

Problem is, the implementation of the law is selective.
That’s why we have politicians on full EPAL mode on every opportunity they get.
They shamelessly plaster their names and faces as though ambulances, red plated vehicles, road projects, relief operations had been generously sourced WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.

IF in case such are donations made with their own hard earned cash, why may we ask should their names and faces be placed? Isn’t this nothing but grandstanding their good works for an ulterior motive or hidden agenda?

Technically, these politicians or with intentions of running for a government post are not violating the law. According to the existing law, you have to be AN OFFICIAL CANDIDATE to be liable and charged. “Signified intentions” are not official.

Sad to say, these are the loop holes of our law, and hopefully the Anti-Epal Bill will patch these loop holes.

Seemingly campaigning during calamities truly shows the lack of character of these low-life politicians. They are making their public service appear to be favorably done by him or her when in fact that it is not so. They are branding government properties and services with their own names. Shame, shame, shame on them! I hope not only do their campaigns fail, but they be punished with karma (if jail time would not permit).

Stealth .. invisible mode .. Ewan ko lang kung kaya yan ng mga pulitiko habang namimigay ng kaunting tulong. Sabi nga “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”. Anyway God knows everything we do and He will be the one to reward it for us. These politicians know that what they are doing is wrong, but the dirty culture of politics dictates them to follow the tradition thus “traditional politicians or trapos” exists and are not yet among the endangered species.

Calamity campaigning is a great way to get noticed by the people and the best way to accomplish their ulterior motives or hidden agendas, at kung pwede nga lang ay tatanungin muna nila ang bibigyan nila ng relief goods kung sino ang iboboto. Ang hindi boboto sa kanya, manigas ka sa gutom!